Arsenal make transfer deadline day decision as William Saliba suffers big injury blow

Arsenal are confident of completing a deal for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie before Monday night’s transfer deadline as they digest William Saliba's injury blow.

Even before the Frenchman hobbled off at Liverpool on Sunday the Gunners were in for the Ecuadorian, but Saliba's injury has potentially furthered their need to add to their defensive line.

Arsenal have been chasing Hincapie for several days and he travelled to London on Sunday to undergo a medical and finalise what will be an initial loan move to the Emirates. The deal will include the option to make the move permanent for £45million next summer - which the club are expected to take up, reports the Evening Standard.

Hincapie's potential arrival could be crucial with Saliba having to pull out of the France squad ahead of the international break. He is looking to recover from an ankle issue.

The centre-half twisted his left ankle in the warm-up ahead of the game at Anfield, but the 24-year-old still began the match as he looked to run off the issue. However it became apparent within five minutes that his afternoon would be cut short.

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He went up for a header with Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike and immediately reeled away in pain, signalling to the bench. He received some brief treatment before being forced off as summer signing Cristhian Mosquera came on to replace him.

Mikel Arteta said on Saliba's injury: "He twisted his ankle during the warm-up, and he came in and he said he believed that he could carry on and play, but straight away in the first two actions. I could see that he couldn't cope, and we had to get him out unfortunately. But thank God we had Mosquera, which we put in for the first time in the Premier League. His debut, not expecting it at Anfield, and I think he was really, really good."

Arteta also confessed that Saliba's decision to come off so soon after kick-off means "there is something wrong." The French star will now miss the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Les Blues will face Ukraine on Friday and then Iceland four days later, but Saliba won't be present in the squad.

Arsenal have not yet given a diagnosis on whether their centre-half will be sidelined long-term. The international break means that the Gunners do not play again until they host Nottingham Forest on September 13 - giving Saliba a fortnight to recover.

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